Tamiya 1/48 Tiger

[stillp]

This seems a fitting subject for the GB. It'll be OOB, which isn't how Simon would have built it, but he was a modeller, I just glue bits of plastic together!

I might have to try making some Zimmerit though, there's none on the kit parts although it is shown on the box art. We'll see how brave I feel when I get to that stage.
There are 6 sprues, with some nicely detailed parts:

I thought at first the silver cylinders in the last bag were batteries, but they're actually weights. According to the box, that will give the model "a realistically heavy feel".
Now, what can I do before Nov 1?
Pete

[Lee Drennen]

Pete. That’s a nice kit I build the Early Tiger and it fit nicely. Only thing I had trouble with was I wasn’t watching what I was doing when I put the wheels on. This was my first Tiger and I didn’t do my Homework on it but I got it right in the end. You will have fun with it

[Steve Jones]

I had a long chat with Simon once about the origins of Zimmerit. It was certainly made up of a lot of stuff. This is a great kit and I'm looking forward to seeing how it goes together. Does it have that slab of metal you put in the base on Tammys 1/48 stuff??

[stillp]

Steve, the Haynes manual for the Tiger has the recipe for the original Zimmerit, but I won't be using that!
There isn't a slab of metal, but 4 steel cylinders about the size of an AAA battery.
Pete

[Jim R]

Hi Pete
I am very fond of these 1/48 scale kits. There are many ways of making zimmerit. I've never done it but I have seen it done very well so good luck.
Jim

[stillp]

Well, I've had a try at representing zimmerit with various materials, without success. Zimm was supposed to be applied 6 mm thick, so in 1/48 it should be 0.125mm, about the thickness of thickish paper. I've tried PPP, PVA mixed with plaster, and Tippex as well as various paints, but it either won't stick, or won't hold the pattern.
Anyone have any suggestions before I chicken out and buy the Tamiya etch?
Pete

[Lee Drennen]

Do it Pete. Pull the trigger on the Tamiya at lease you will know it works.

[rtfoe]

Hi Pete, doing zimmerit is something Simon would have done so you're in it even if its OOB.
Try two part putty. Mix just little beads at a time and just paste in small sections, flatten with your fingers or roll with a moist tooth pick then using anything thats flat and thin and the right width to stab the zimmerit pattern working from top to bottom. You can do it.

Cheers,
Richard

[BattleshipBob]

Hi Pete

Have a look at nightshift on YT, excellent video on zimm

[adt70hk]

If you're in the UK I've had some success with scuffing up the base with sandpaper, coating it in a thin coat of No More Nails and then using a short piece of junior hacksaw blade (32 teeth per inch), so scribe the pattern. Make sure you leave it a good 24 hours or more to dry. As an FYI it seems to respond well to thin poly cement e.g TET.

Good luck.

Andrew

[Mini Me]

Hi Pete, like the others said, have a go with the Zimm. I did it in 1/87 scale with Tammy putty. I used the Tammy rake as it was finer than the finest hacksaw blade I could find.....with a bit of practice you should do fine. Rick H. :thumb2:

[scottie3158]

Pete,
Count me in mate.

[stillp]

I chickened out and ordered the Tammy zimm. I might have been able to make it in 1/35, but not in anything smaller.
Pete

[Lee Drennen]

I chickened out and ordered the Tammy zimm. I might have been able to make it in 1/35, but not in anything smaller.
Pete

Wise choice you will like this way better

[boatman]

HI Pete thats what i would have done as well an im following so keep up the good work as the tiger is my fave tank
chris